Chapter 19 - Giving Gifts and Receiving Love

We arrived at a small hut. Lots and lots of smoke were coming out of the chimney. Professor Ridel told us to enter one by one, but I asked Jack what potion would he want.

『Our parents consumed an extremely toxic poison, but we managed to temporarily lessen its effect by letting them drink herbal medicine. A Cure-All potion would be nice.』

I promised him I would request two of those and two Greater Healing Potions. One by one, the students went inside the hut. The top placer would enter last.

A couple of minutes later and it was finally my turn. I went ahead and entered the door. There, Master Raven or Claire Freflaw was stiing on a chair tinkering with her potions.

The elf's ears peaked when she noticed me enter and welcomed me.

『Hello, uhm... Lake, was it? I am Master Raven and as you alreadt know, a Master Alchemist.』

I was always confused to why she's called Master Raven and not Master Freflaw. I decided to ask the elf about it.

『Excuse me if I am being rude Master Raven, but why are you called Raven and not Freflaw?』

『Oh, that. You see... I was once an adventurer and a high ranking one at that. Whenever I went and take a quest I would always bring a raven with me. I would always talk to that raven even if it didn't reply and other adventurers noticed that and called me Raven. It sounded nice so I made it my alias.』

Oh... So that's the reason. We finished our talk and i wrote down what potions I wanted.

『Two Cure-All, two Greater Healing, and one Strengthening Potion. All right, it will be ready by next week or two. Be sure to come here by then.』

I waved my farewells at the elven professor and left the hut. It was now my turn to choose something on their garden. A familiar.

It was moved to tomorrow because the creatures there were feeling uneasy said Professor Ridel. We were dismissed and was free at what to do. I decided to stay at my room and call my friends in.

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Inside my room sits Ciel on the sofa, Elizabeth on the chair by the window, and Jack laying down on my bed. I discussed stuff with them.

『Guys, I have a present for each of you.』

Their eyes glittered. They moved close to me and were feeling excited.

『This is for Jack...』

I took out the white dagger Jack was interested at inside he vault. I gave it to him and he gave me a hug, thanking me.

『I noticee you were hesitating at what to choose between this and the black one you have. I noticed that if wieldes together, it has a special ability you can use. Their sharpness and sturdiness are multiplied by three and you can use [Invisibilty]for an infinite amount of time. Try it out.』

『Really?! That's cool! Alright! I'll be invisible now... How? [Invisibility]?』

He disappeared, but I still feel his presence, though faint. His voice is still the same volume as though he wasn't invisible and the daggers and his clothes vanished with him.

Footsteps were heard on the marble floor and an evil sounding laugh could be heard. Elizabeth shrieked and hid behind me while Ciel was just sitting there like a log. I felt someone behind me and yelled 『Boo!』.

Elizabeth shrieked, terrified. I smacked Jack wherever he was and he slowly appeared.

『Hehe... Sorry, sis. So I appear when I get touched by another person, huh. Thanks for the gift, Lake!』

Next it was Ciel's I took out the bluish-gray katana from my [Inventory]and it gave off a frosty feeling.

Ciel was still just sitting like a log until I called out to him and he snapped out off his trance. I gave him the frosty katana.

『That's a rare item called the ｢Katana of Frost｣. I'm not sure if you want it, but I feel like this plus your fiery one will suit you and increase your power tremendously.』

His mouth agape, Ciel yelled 『Are you kidding?! This is a good katana! It's sharpness isn't as good as my other one, but it's still sharp enough to cut through steel! What are its special effects?』.

『When it's wielded, you can shoot blades of ice when you swing. The amount and power it gives depends on your level, so you better raise yours as fast as you can!』

『Uohhh! This is a great katana! A blademaster's greatest weakness is distance so having this is a great help! Thanks, Lake!』

I saved the best for last. I took out the robe and placed it onto Elizabeth's back.

『That is for you. It's a robe I got from the treasury called the ｢Robe of Life｣.』

『Wha~ it's so pretty and soft! Are you sure it's for me?』

『Yup. Consider it as my engagement gift to you.』

Jack whistled, Ciel cleared his throat, and Elizabeth's face reddened. I realized what I said and got embarrassed.

『A-Anyway... It's a robe that fits you. It increases your healing's power by two times and it will also protect you from harm. Being a healer is a dangerous job, so I picked that up to ensure your safety.』

『Uhm... Thank you, Lake... I have nothing to give back to you though, just...』

Her words stopped there and her red face became even more red. I was curious at what she was going to say and asked.

『Uhm... Will my love be enough as a gift?』

She looked at me with those adorable eyes of hers. My heart skippee a beat and I felt my blood boil. She's so damn adorable, god dammit! I want to push– Woah that's a dangerous thought.